Manchester City may have their eyes set on loftier goals this season, but their upcoming clash with Manchester United in the Community Shield could serve as a crucial test.
While Pep Guardiola certainly wants to win the Community Shield, he’s not willing to jeopardize their prospects for more significant trophies. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have granted many players extended breaks, leading to most only recently beginning their pre-season preparations.
For Manchester United, this match represents a golden opportunity to assert themselves and claim consecutive victories over their more dominant neighbors. Although United finished below City in the league for the past eleven seasons, Erik Ten Hag’s squad is in strong form and eager to prove they’re closing the gap.
The Community Shield will offer City insights into how effectively they can compensate for Julian Alvarez’s departure to Atletico Madrid. With Alvarez’s departure, City will need to fill a significant void in terms of goals, assists, and overall impact on the pitch, as well as manage their play when Erling Haaland is off the field.
New recruit Savinho will be expected to absorb some of Alvarez’s minutes, while Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish are anticipated to step up from last season. Matheus Nunes is also poised for a stronger showing in midfield. Additionally, academy graduates Oscar Bobb and James McAtee, who have impressed on the summer tour, might get a chance to demonstrate their capabilities in the Community Shield. With the majority of the squad still building match fitness, City may not have a direct replacement for Alvarez in place by the weekend.
Bobb has already made his mark, and if McAtee performs well against a team that aims to contend for the top four this season, he could prove his worth for more significant roles.
While the Community Shield might not fully reflect City’s potential, a positive result against a well-prepared United team would be encouraging. It will also help City gauge how much additional firepower and depth they need beyond what they currently have available.
As City navigates the challenge of replacing Alvarez, United’s performance could play a pivotal role in shaping their next steps.
